simplysamoa is a blog site about our Samoa. Situated in the heart of the South Pacific, we tell of its beauty and luscious landscapes, it's plentiful sandy beaches, friendly people and the destination that is one of the safest places on earth. Once referred to as the Navigators of Polynesia, Samoa is the people and culture that was portrayed in the Disney movie Moana. We welcome your views that may boost the knowledge of another and help travelers learn more about Samoa. Fa'afetai Lava
Tuesday, January 29, 2019
Piula Cave Pools
Located in a picturesque village setting, Piula is part of the Methodist Theological college in the village of Lufilufi. The Freshwater Pools boasts cooling freshwater like no other. Piula is along the eastcoast road of Upolu and a short 20-30 minute drive from Apia. It is beautifully set up to combine the modern works of concrete for convenient and its natural rocks from yesteryear. Piula has been serving the Toursim sector and accept visitors since 1969. It is simply one of the "must see" spots in Samoa. The closest hotel to Piula is the newly renovated Leuaina Beach Resort.
Sunday, January 27, 2019
Why Samoa?
Why Samoa you ask? Because simply, we are worth it. Nestled in the Paradise, South Pacific, Samoa is north east of Fiji. As you’ve always imagined, Upolu & Savai'i, or Samoa in general for that matter is similar to other Pacific Islands. It's tropical climates and breathtaking beaches and landscapes will just melt your heart for the day. Samoa is a manageable two island country where you will literally find that the streets have no names, no surprise there, as many other South Pacific island countries are the same. What’s the difference you ask? Experts (STA, Samoa) describes it: "Scenically, we offer an eclectic mix of natural riches that extend far beyond white sand beaches and blue lagoons".
Of course, there are plenty of those, with great fishing, diving and surfing all year-round. You can take yourself around for half a day and enjoy all this. or hire an expert to show you around, there are a few excursion companies you can hire and take a half-day excursion down the tip of the east coast, down to idyllic and prestine Lalomanu Beach. Or take a shorter drive from Apia to Piula Cave Pools Piula is a fresh water pool, nicely hidden but within the premises of a beautifully laid-out picturesque small village setting for the Methodist Theological college. It's crystal clear waters and cool water temperature would be welcoming and refreshing in the warm Samoan sun.
A turn inland 4 minutes before Piula caves is the much desired swimming waters of Sauniatu Waterfall, the 7km drive inland from Saoluafata village offers mountain landscapes with a farming village scenery. At the end of your drive is the LDS Church compound and Primary School. A grassy path will lead you to a refreshing freshwater swimming hole and waterfall. Sauniatu's mountainous rainforest setting is ideal for birdwatchers and folks who appreciate deep forestry surroundings.
Just a short drive from Piula Pools, you will arrive to your second waterfall, Falefa Falls, a short fall that you take a staircase down to for pictures and a swim if desired. Keep driving for a further 10 minutes and you will find the turn off to Fagaloa Bay, a mountainous winding drive with waterfall backdrops that takes your breath away. Back on your original drive and in another 10 minutes, you will come to the cross island road closer to the eastern tip, take this cross taking you from the north end to the south and not long, you will witness in short distances from eachother Sopoaga Waterfalls and Fusipisia Waterfalls, both are a spectacular watch not to miss.
After the beautiful waterfall sites, let us take you a little further towards the south coast to the ever popular and breathtaking delights of To Sua Ocean Trench. A 'must see and do' when you are in Samoa. To Sua means, "Gigantic Swimming Hole", you will be climbing down a 30 meters well from ground level to the trench. The pool is located in the district of Lotofaga. It is situated in a well maintained, beautiful garden park overlooking the southeast coast of the island. It is open to all visitors and described by many travel writers as the one spot in Samoa not to miss.
The sites mentioned above are my favourite spots to visit, and there are plenty other exciting sites in Samoa to see such as the island of Savaii where you can swim with turtles, take the exciting Canopy walk, visit the large footprint of Moso, feel the thrills of the blow holes, see the last sunset of the day in Falealupo, learn the mysteries of the Lava fields and the Virgin's grave, and much more. Upolu island being the gateway to Samoa offers other exciting attractions such as the Robert Louis Stevenson's museum just a 15 minute drive from Apia township, Papase'ea Sliding Rocks, the black sandy beaches of the south coast, the Luatuanu'u and Siumu surfing sites, feed the turtles at Malua, plus much much more. If you are after a guided tour for yourself or you group, our recommended tours LeTourSamoa runs different tours to choose from, 6 days a week and can show you around your preferred sites and times. Plan today and Visit our Beautiful Samoa, It's well worth it we promise. Book today and and let us show you a Great Time!
Thursday, January 24, 2019
History of Samoa
The Culture (Fa'aSamoa) is over 3000 Years old. Our Samoan Legends depict that we Descended from Heaven to Inhabit these Islands.
Our Polynesian ancestors made their way across the Pacific ocean in canoes thousands of years ago. As written by the Samoa Tourism Authority and with consent we repost:
Samoa’s oldest known site of human occupation is Mulifanua on the island of Upolu, which dates back to about 1000 BC (about 3000 years ago). Stonework ‘pyramids’ and mounds in star formation found throughout the islands have inspired various theories from archaeologists about this stage of Samoan history.
Over the millennia, the Samoan people engaged in trade, battles and intermarriage of nobility with the neighbouring islands of Fiji and Tonga. The interweaving of the cultures and bloodlines has helped strengthen the ties of these South Pacific nations.
European whalers and traders started to arrive in the late 1700s. By far the most important agents of change in Samoa were the western missionaries, converting the people from belief in Gods for the sun, earth, heavens and sea to the one God.
Dutchman, Jacob Roggeveen was the first European to sight the islands in 1722, but it wasn’t until 1830 when the Reverend John Williams arrived in Savai'i, that the Christian gospel had an impact on Samoan life. Visitors to Samoa may be shown the monuments to John Williams on both main islands. Samoans are now a devoutly religious people with much time devoted to church activities. For many Samoans, Christianity and Fa‘a Samoa (Samoan culture) are inextricably interwoven.
In 1899 after years of civil war, the islands of the Samoan archipelago were divided – the Germans taking the islands to the west and the Americans taking the islands to the east, now known as American Samoa.
After the outbreak of the First World War, New Zealand captured Western Samoa from the small German company stationed on the islands, and following the end of the war took administrative control on behalf of the United Nations from 1918 until independence on 1st January 1962. Western Samoa became the first Pacific nation to gain Independence.
From 1962 to 1997, the nation was known as Western Samoa, until it dropped the title ‘Western’ from its name to become the Independent State of Samoa. Samoa celebrates its independence each June.
Samoa’s oldest known site of human occupation is Mulifanua on the island of Upolu, which dates back to about 1000 BC (about 3000 years ago). Stonework ‘pyramids’ and mounds in star formation found throughout the islands have inspired various theories from archaeologists about this stage of Samoan history.
Over the millennia, the Samoan people engaged in trade, battles and intermarriage of nobility with the neighbouring islands of Fiji and Tonga. The interweaving of the cultures and bloodlines has helped strengthen the ties of these South Pacific nations.
European whalers and traders started to arrive in the late 1700s. By far the most important agents of change in Samoa were the western missionaries, converting the people from belief in Gods for the sun, earth, heavens and sea to the one God.
Dutchman, Jacob Roggeveen was the first European to sight the islands in 1722, but it wasn’t until 1830 when the Reverend John Williams arrived in Savai'i, that the Christian gospel had an impact on Samoan life. Visitors to Samoa may be shown the monuments to John Williams on both main islands. Samoans are now a devoutly religious people with much time devoted to church activities. For many Samoans, Christianity and Fa‘a Samoa (Samoan culture) are inextricably interwoven.
In 1899 after years of civil war, the islands of the Samoan archipelago were divided – the Germans taking the islands to the west and the Americans taking the islands to the east, now known as American Samoa.
After the outbreak of the First World War, New Zealand captured Western Samoa from the small German company stationed on the islands, and following the end of the war took administrative control on behalf of the United Nations from 1918 until independence on 1st January 1962. Western Samoa became the first Pacific nation to gain Independence.
From 1962 to 1997, the nation was known as Western Samoa, until it dropped the title ‘Western’ from its name to become the Independent State of Samoa. Samoa celebrates its independence each June.
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